paper

So I probably never would have known that there were so many different types of paper! My mission was to follow the instructions according to the agency regarding what the type of paper needed for the letter copies was. So I went to Office Max and stood staring at the millions of different options! We needed 100-110 pound bright white. Paper actually weighs different amounts??

So after the store clerk stared with me for a while we found 110 lb. , 92% white paper (which is basically like a card stock) Naturally, when I got home and Wally used it, it still wasn't right. Needs more shine and a brighter white!

Good Lord!

So I will be returning to Office Max today to see about a return and then trying a local Oakland store that specializes in just paper!

AND given that we are at this tedious  (and ridiculous)step of the process , yes, it does mean that our letter was approved by our adoption coordinator and we are trying to send  a final copy on the RIGHT paper for others at the agency to view so that we can move forward with our bazillion copies!! Yay!

My life with Youth

Well I think that God's way of sharpening my chops for parenthood is through my current work with youth ministry! In Feb. I began a very very part time interim position at our church as the Youth Activities Director. Basically it is what I was previously doing as a volunteer but paid with more hours and the responsibility of "holding" the youth events programming for things beyond Sunday am. It's good and I totally felt like I could handle it when I said yes . Now after two back to back weekends of major youth events, I still think I can handle it but I can say that less naively. For all of the years that I have been involved with youth ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, Wally has done it with me . We have worked as a dynamic team to teens on major events as well we within our own parish community. This has been my first adventure without him in this arena and it's  certainly not the same.  But I do realize that it is  thanks to Wally that  this important addition of my life came to be. Both  the work I am doing now and the experience of learning how to do it, I owe to him.  I wish we were doing it together but because it is a solo mission right now, it makes the idea of co-parenting all the more exciting! I know the dynamic duo will return and with an age that we have never dealt with before so we will develop those new skills together!

 SO I just returned from a weekend in the snow with 7 teenagers  (who are terrific & loved using me as a snowball fight target!) and I am now home with  my little family of Wally & Soleil and ready for a new week of teaching dance to teenagers..... see the theme?